Barnoldswick-based outfit Hope is internationally renowned for its CNC-machined components and, namely, its brakes. However, in recent years, the brand has been playing around with carbon fibre, both in its current crop of handlebars, the existing HP916 enduro bike and its legendary Carbon Track Frame as used at the Olympics. However, at 2026’s Corebike show, the brand unveiled its latest entry into the mountain bike market, the HB912, and it’s a short-travelled thing of beauty.
With the HB916 fulfilling enduro duties, with its high pivot suspension platform and 160mm of squish, there was a clear gap in Hope’s range for something a little trail-friendly. This year, the brand has addressed that very gap with the all-new HB912.
While it certainly carries the same level of panache as its bigger-travelled range-mate, the HB912 rocks 120mm of suspension at the rear complemented with 130mm at the front, which should make it a versatile, do-it-all ripper. That said, I’m told that the bike can be bumped up to 130mm and 140mm respectively, if you’re looking to bush the boundary a bit.
The bike pictured is Hope’s show bike, and as always, the brand hasn’t painted it quietly. The rear half features a Cerakote fade that smoothly transitions to a green raw finish, which highlights Hope’s diligent and top-notch carbon layup.
While muted in the foyer of Whittlebury Hotel, it comes to life as soon as a bit of sun hits it. It’s then finished off with polished, CNC-machined gubbins, such as the cable ports and the rocker link. Though production bikes won’t be available in this colour, rather they’ll come in a raw black.
When chatting to the guys at Hope, they suggested that there’s a 66-degree head angle, but it can be adjusted to sit at 65 degrees, and it rolls on a pair of 29in hoops. Unsurprisingly, the bike will come sorted with a full suite of Hope goodness, but the suspension components might change. Additionally, a Maxxis Assegai is providing the traction up front, and a Forekaster at the rear has been chosen for speedy rolling.
As for the rest of the geometry, expect a 465mm reach on a medium, a 435mm chainstay and a 77.5-degree seat tube angle. Those measurements are far from shabby.
Finer details are still a little up in the air, but I’m told that we can expect the bike to hit the market in the summer and for it to be available as a frame only for £4,000 and a single, full build at around £8,000.
1 thought on “Hope’s all new HB912 short-travel mountain bike is a thing of beauty, but you’ll need around £8,000 to make it yours”
Hope: “here’s our latest frame that shows our amazing craftsmanship in an incredible eye catching finish”
Hope: “no you can’t buy it apart from in Black – even at additional cost for the finish”
🤷♂️